Good to the last shot

Smith's shootout goal wins title for Wellington

February 10, 2008|By Chris Gentilviso Staff Writer

FORT LAUDERDALE — The wait is finally over.

Wellington junior forward Ashley Smith clutched her mouth to hide a wide smile, as her sudden-death penalty kick lifted the Wolverines to their first state championship in team history, 2-1 (4-3 in penalty kicks) over Oviedo in sudden-death overtime Saturday in the Class 6A girls' state final at Lockhart Stadium.

"I was confident," Smith said. "I just wanted it."

Tied at 3 in sudden-death penalty kicks, Oviedo senior goaltender Karen McDaniel stepped to the line as a shooter. But her kick sailed just over the crossbar, leaving McDaniel visibly frustrated.

That left the door open for Smith, who had battled injuries this year, to score a memorable third goal of the season.

Coach Michael Kozlowski had said all season that desire made the difference for his team, which made the 2008 Wolverines the first team in three trips to the finals to win the state championship.

But before desire could win out, the Wolverines had to overcome great adversity.

Wellington was seven minutes away from winning in regulation. The Wolverines' offense came on a breakaway goal from senior Lindsey Wilkinson in the 57th minute. Their second-half defense, led by stellar play from senior Danielle Deramo, was suffocating, holding Oviedo to no shots on goal through the first 33 minutes.

But the Lions' first shot proved to be costly for the Wolverines. Junior goalie Samantha Bandremer grasped a corner kick by Oviedo senior Lindsay Osburn, but then lost control as she hit the grass. The ball skipped out to freshman midfielder Katie O'Kennedy, who booted the tying goal from 10 yards out.

"We definitely got a little disheartened after that goal," Wilkinson said. "But we stuck with it and gave it our all."

Wilkinson's speed led to another late breakaway with 10 seconds left, but nerves hit the senior. She booted a wide-open kick 20 yards into the empty seats, sending the game into overtime.

Oviedo's recovery extended into the first overtime, as goalie Karen McDaniel stopped all six Wellington shots.

Three minutes into the second overtime, Oviedo caught Bandremer away from goal. Oviedo forward Jillian Peppiatt had a look, but Wellington defender Kaelin Ferreira made a kick save to end the threat.

In the extra session, Kozlowski picked the first five girls to shoot. But the rest of the choices were in his players' hands. If the girls wanted to step up, it was their choice.

"We've talked about the question all season: Whats your legacy going to be?"Kozlowski said. "They decided right before it that they were going to win it."

The Wolverines' legacy is their devotion to the team concept. Wilkinson admitted she struggles with penalty kicks and couldn't be happier that Smith was the hero Saturday.

"She stepped up to the plate, didn't lose her cool, and we finally got it," Wilkinson said.